Pre-activation of network devices

ABSTRACT

An approach for pre-activating network devices includes using prior usage of a network device to estimate times when the network device will be used in the future. The network device is then pre-activated, i.e., transitioned to an active operational state, prior to the estimated times so that the network device will be ready when needed. This reduces or eliminates delays in processing attributable to having to wait for the network device to transition to the active operational state.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/938,306 (Attorney Docket No. 49986-0), filed Sep. 10, 2004,entitled “A Method Of Pre-Activating Network Devices Based Upon PreviousUsage Data,” naming Tetsuro Motoyama as inventor, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/245,935, filed on Sep. 17, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,748,299, and entitled “Approach for Managing Power Consumption inBuildings” (Attorney Docket No. 49986-0513).

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/371,379, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,766,223, and entitled “Approach for Managing Power Consumption ofNetwork Devices” (Attorney Docket No. 49986-0523).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to networked devices generally, and morespecifically, to an approach for managing network devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reducing power consumption has become an important issue for businessesbecause of environmental concerns and the rising costs of electricity.In addition to managing electricity consumption attributable to lightingand heating and air cooling systems, corporations have to manageincreased electricity usage attributable to communications networks andcomputer systems. This includes, for example, local area networks(LANs), and all of the network devices connected thereto, such aspersonal computers and shared network devices, such as copiers,printers, scanners and facsimile machines.

Corporations have made significant progress in reducing powerconsumption through employee education programs that encourage employeesto turn off their lights and personal computers when they leave workeach day. The success of this approach depends upon the diligence ofemployees in turning off lights, computers and other equipment when notin use. Some types of equipment take a long time to power up from apowered down state. For example, it is not uncommon for personalcomputers to require several minutes to “boot up.” Other types ofequipment, such as copy machines and laboratory instruments, can requireeven more time to complete a power up cycle. These delays can have anadverse effect on productivity in situations where large numbers ofemployees are waiting for equipment to power up. As a result of theselong delays, many employees leave equipment on all the time.

Another approach has been to configure certain types of equipment, suchas personal computers and shared network devices, with a power savingmode of operation. A power saving mode is an operating mode in which adevice consumes less power, typically by shutting down one or moresubsystems or services. For example, when configured with a power savingmode, personal computers typically shut down the hard disk and monitorafter a specified amount of time has passed without any keyboard ormouse activity. When keyboard or mouse activity resumes, power isrestored to all components and the personal computer returns to theregular power state. Other types of shared network devices may also beconfigured with power saving modes of operation. For example, a copieror printer may be configured to shut down certain mechanical functions,such as a fuser module, but maintain power to an electronics module thatcontains the controller. A copier or printer may enter a power savingmode after no request to copy or print a document has been received fora specified amount of time. When the copier or printer receives arequest to copy or print a document, then power is restored to themechanical functions so that the copying and printing functions may beperformed. The use of power saving modes of operation in personalcomputers and other shared network devices can save a significant amountof power.

One drawback of this approach is that personal computers and sharednetwork devices still consume power in a power saving mode, albeit at areduced rate. Furthermore, the transition from power saving mode toregular operating mode can require several seconds or even minutes,depending upon the particular implementation. For example, some sharednetwork devices, such as copiers and printers, can require severalminutes to “warm up”, i.e., transition, from a power saving mode to afull active mode, before a document can be copied or printed. Anotherdrawback of this approach is that many older computers and sharednetwork devices are not configured with power saving modes of operation.

Based on the need to reduce the amount of power consumed by networkdevices and computer systems and the limitations in prior approaches, anapproach for managing network devices that does not suffer from thelimitations of prior approaches is highly desirable.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, an approach is provided forsetting a network device ready for use. According to the approach, usagedata is retrieved that indicates which of a plurality of operationalstates a network device operated in during a first plurality of timeperiods. An estimation is made, based upon the usage data, from a secondplurality of time periods, one or more time periods when the networkdevice will be operating in a usage state from the plurality ofoperational states. The second plurality of time periods is bothdifferent than the first plurality of time periods and occurs after thefirst plurality of time periods. A detection is made whether one or moreindividuals associated with the network device are in a building. If theone or more individuals associated with the network device are in thebuilding, then the network device is transitioned to the usage stateprior to each of the one or more time periods, so that the networkdevice is ready for use at a start of each of the one or more timeperiods. If the one or more individuals associated with the networkdevice are not in the building, then the network device is nottransitioned to the ready state prior to each of the one or more timeperiods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts an arrangement for managing powerconsumption in a building according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram that depicts an approach for managing powerduring building entry according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram that depicts a building having networkdevices and users;

FIG. 2C is a table that depicts relationships between shared networkdevices and users;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that depicts an approach for managing powerduring building exit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation of apersonal computer configured in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation ofbuilding access system, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 6A-6C are block diagrams that depict example implementations ofdata tables according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams that depict example data tablesaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer system on which embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram that depicts a operational mode hierarchy fora network device, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 10A-10C are diagrams that depict example interactions between anetwork device and remote manager;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation of anMFP;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram that depicts an approach for managing anetwork device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 includes a graph that visually depicts the usage of a networkdevice over time and more specifically, the usage of the network deviceover a 24 hour period; and

FIG. 14 depicts a table of example usage data collected for a printingdevice over a seven-day, 24 hours per day, period.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are depicted in block diagram form in order toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Various embodiments andaspects of the invention are described hereinafter in the followingsections:

I. Overview

II. Power Management Architecture

III. Managing Power During Building Entry and Exit

IV. Implementation Mechanisms

V. Remote Management Applications

VI. Operational State Hierarchies

VII. Example Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP) Architecture

VIII. Network Device Pre-Activation

-   -   A. Usage Data    -   B. Collecting and Storing Usage Data    -   C. Using Usage Data to Estimate Future Usage of a Network Device    -   D. Updated to Usage Data    -   E. Using Pre-Activation With Building Access Detection        I. Overview

An approach for managing power consumption of network devices includesdetermining whether one or more state change criteria for a networkdevice are satisfied. The state change criteria may include a variety ofcriteria, depending upon the requirements of a particular implementationand the invention is not limited to any particular state changecriteria. Examples of state change criteria include, without limitation,whether the network device needs to be operating in a differentoperational state to perform a specified function and whether aspecified function has been completed.

If the one or more state change criteria for the network device aresatisfied, then the network device is signaled over a communicationsnetwork to cause the network device to change operational states.According to one embodiment of the invention, the signaling causes thenetwork device to change from a first operational state in a pluralityof operational states to a second operational state in the plurality ofoperational states. The network device consumes a different amount ofpower when operating in the second operational state relative to whenthe network device is operating in the first operational state.

For example, suppose that when operating in the first operational state,the network device is operating in a “sleep” state. In the sleep state,power is supplied to a controller, but not to a mechanical module, suchas a printer module in the network device. Suppose further that thestate change criteria includes whether the network device needs to beoperating in a different operational state to perform a specifiedfunction. In the present example, assume that a printer module in thenetwork device is now, or soon will be, required to print an electronicdocument. This may occur, for example, because it is known that aparticular electronic document needs to be printed, or because a user ofthe network device has entered a building and it is likely that the userwill soon need to use the printing capabilities provided by the printermodule of the network device.

Since the state change criteria has been satisfied, the currentoperational state of the network device is changed from the sleep modeto a second operational state where power is supplied to the printermodule so that the functionality of the printer module is available. Thenetwork device consumes more power in the second operational staterelative to the first (sleep) operational state since, when the networkdevice is operating in the second operational state, power is applied tothe printer module.

As another example, suppose that the network device is currentlyoperating in the aforementioned second operational state. Supposefurther that the state change criteria includes whether the specifiedfunction has been completed. Once the electronic document has beenprinted, the printer module is no longer needed and the state changecriteria is again satisfied. In this situation, however, the currentoperational state of the network device is changed from the secondoperational state where power is supplied to the printer module back tothe sleep mode so that the amount of power consumed by the networkdevice is reduced.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an approach formanaging power consumption of resources includes receiving a signal thatindicates that a user has entered or left the building. In response toreceiving the signal, one or more resources in the building aretransitioned between a first state and a second state. When operating inthe first state, the one or more resources consume relatively less powerrelative to when the one or more resources are operating in the secondstate. The approach is applicable to all types of resources, includingprivate resources that are used primarily by the user, and sharedresources that are used by the user and other users. Example resourcesinclude, without limitation, computers, laboratory equipment andinstruments, copy machines, facsimile machines, printers, postagemachines, lights and heating and air conditioning systems.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a determination is made,based upon the signal and status data, whether the user has entered thebuilding or left the building. If the user has entered the building,then the one or more resources are transitioned from the first state tothe second state. If the user has left the building, then the one ormore resources are transitioned from the second state to the firststate.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a determination ismade, based upon the signal and status data, whether the user was eitherthe first user to enter the building or the last user to leave thebuilding. If the user was the first user to enter the building, then oneor more shared resources are transitioned from the first state to thesecond state. If the user was the last user to leave the building, thenthe one or more shared resources are transitioned from the second stateto the first state.

II. Power Management Architecture

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts an arrangement for managing powerconsumption of network devices, in the context of resources within abuilding, according to an embodiment of the invention. Arrangement 100includes a building access system 102 communicatively coupled to sensors104, cameras 106 and an ID card reader 108.

Building access system 102 monitors and tracks individuals who enter andleave the building based upon data from sensors 104, cameras 106 and IDcard reader 108. For example, access to the building may be restrictedto individuals who have a valid ID card. To enter the building, anindividual must first have their ID card read by ID card reader 108. IDcard reader 108 provides identification data from the ID card tobuilding access system 102 that verifies the identification data storedat the ID card against valid identification data maintained by buildingaccess system 102. If the identification data matches valididentification data maintained by building access system 102, thenaccess to the building is granted, e.g., by unlocking a door. If theidentification data does not match valid identification data maintainedby building access system 102, then access to the building is denied.Building access system 102 may also maintain data that indicates datesand time of successful and unsuccessful accesses, e.g., on anon-volatile storage.

Building access system 102 is coupled to a network 110 for communicatingwith other elements as described hereinafter. Network 110 may be anytype of medium or mechanism that provides for the exchange of databetween the connected elements. Example networks include, withoutlimitation, Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), theInternet, and combinations thereof, and the invention is not limited toany particular type of network or network arrangement.

Arrangement 100 also includes a power controller 112 that iscommunicatively coupled to and manages power for a heating ventilationair conditioning (HVAC) system 114 and a lighting system 116.Arrangement 100 further includes a personal computer (PC) 118, a copymachine 120, laboratory equipment 122 and other devices 124, that areeach communicatively coupled to network 110. Arrangement 100 alsoincludes a power manager 126 configured to manage power consumption inthe building, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

III. Managing Power During Building Entry and Exit

FIG. 2A is a flow diagram 200 that depicts an approach for managingpower consumption of network devices, in the context of resources withina building, according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 202, auser makes a successful entry into the building. As previously describedherein, a successful entry is made when the user is identified as havingthe authority to enter the building. For example, the user has anidentification card scanned by ID card reader 108 and verified bybuilding access system 102.

In step 204, power manager 126 identifies private and shared resourcesassociated with the user and retrieves status information for theidentified resources. The status information indicates the currentstatus of the identified resources, namely, whether the resources are onor off. Power manager 126 also identifies the other users associatedwith the same resources. Power manager 126 may maintain data thatspecifies associations between users and resources to enable powermanager 126 to quickly determine which resources are associated withparticular users. Power manager 126 may also maintain status data thatindicates the current status of resources. Both types of data may bemaintained by power manager 126 in local non-volatile storage, such asone or more disks, or remotely, e.g., in a remote database, as describedin more detail hereinafter.

In step 206, power manager 126 identifies which of the private andshared resources are to be activated. In general, these are theresources that the user will need. Thus, power manager 126 identifiesresources that are associated with the user that are currently off. Forexample, power manager 126 may determine that private resources, such asthe user's PC and office lights are currently off and will be needed bythe user. As another example, power manager 126 may determine thatshared resources, such as hallway lights, copy machines, laboratoryequipment, or other devices, are currently off and will be needed by theuser.

For example, FIG. 2B is a block diagram that depicts a building 250having network devices 252, 254, 256, 258 and users A1-A6, B1-B5, C1-C5and D1-D4. As depicted by FIG. 2B and a table 270 of FIG. 2C, usersA1-A6 are logically associated with network device 256, users B1-B5 arelogically associated with network device 258, users C1-C5 are logicallyassociated with network device 254 and users D1-D4 are logicallyassociated with network device 252. The aforementioned logicalassociations may be based upon physical associations. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 2B, users A1-A6 are physically located closer tonetwork device 256 than network devices 252, 254 and 258. Thus, usersA1-A6 are configured to use network device 256. For example, in thecontext where network devices 252-258 are shared devices such asprinters, personal computers associated with users A1-A6 are configuredto print to network device 256, rather than network devices 252, 254 and258. Similarly, the personal computers associated with users B1-B5 areconfigured to print to network device 258, the personal computersassociated with users C1-C5 are configured to print to network device254 and the personal computers associated with users D1-D4 areconfigured to print to network device 252.

Suppose that user A1 has entered building 250. In step 206, powermanager 126 consults table 270 of FIG. 2C and determines that networkdevice 256 is logically associated with user A1 and is currently off, orin a sleep mode. Thus, the operational state of network device 256 needsto be changed to an operational state that will allow user A1 to usenetwork device 256.

In step 208, power manager 126 activates the resources. The particularactions taken to activate a resource may vary depending upon the typeand attributes of the resource to be activated. For example, for someresources, such as copy machine 120, power manager 126 sends a signal toactivate copy machine 120. The signal may cause copy machine 120 totransition from an off or “sleep” state to an active state.Alternatively, power manager 126 may signal another entity, such aspower controller 112, to apply power to copy machine 120.

As another example, to activate the user's PC 118, power manager 126 maysend a signal to a network interface card (NIC) in PC 118 to cause PC118 to transition from an off or “sleep” state to an active state. Asyet another example, power manager 126 may send a signal to powercontroller 112 requesting that HVAC system 114 and lighting system 116be activated to provide HVAC services and lighting to the physical areawhere the user will need those services.

In step 210, the status information is updated to reflect any changesthat were made. For example, according to one embodiment of theinvention, power manager 126 updates the status information stored onnon-volatile storage to reflect the resources that were activated andthat the user is now inside the building.

According to this approach, resources required by the user are activatedwhen the user enters the building. This is particularly helpful insituations where resources require several minutes to be activatedbecause the resources will be at least partially activated, and ideallyfully activated, by the time the user reaches their working area.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 that depicts an approach for managing powerduring building exit according to an embodiment of the invention. Instep 302, a user exits the building and building access system 102 isaware that the user has exited the building.

In step 304, power manager 126 identifies private and shared resourcesassociated with the user and retrieves status information for theidentified resources. The status information indicates the currentstatus of the identified resources, namely, whether the resources arecurrently on or off. Power manager 126 also identifies the other usersassociated with the same resources.

In step 306, power manager 126 identifies which of the private andshared resources are to be de-activated. In general, these are theresources that the user will no longer need to use. Thus, power manager126 identifies private resources that are associated with the user thatare currently on and should be turned off. For example, power manager126 may determine that the user's PC and office lights (privateresources) are currently on. For shared resources, power manager 126examines the status information to identify shared resources that areboth associated with the user and no longer needed by the user or anyother users. For example, power manager 126 may determine that hallwaylights, a copy machine, laboratory equipment, or other devices (sharedresources) are currently on and that the user is the last user in thebuilding associated with these shared resources. These resources areidentified for de-activation. Shared resources that are associated withboth the user and at least one other user that is still in the buildingare not selected for de-activation.

In step 308, power manager 126 de-activates the identified resources.The steps required to de-activate a particular resource may vary fromresource to resource. For example, to de-activate HVAC system 114 andlighting system 116, power manager 126 sends a signal to powercontroller 112 requesting that power controller 112 de-activate HVACsystem 114 and lighting system 116. For other devices, such as PC 118 orcopy machine 120, currently-executing processes are permitted to finishprocessing before the devices are de-activated. For example, tode-activate copy machine 120, power manager 126 sends a command to copymachine 120. Copy machine 120 finishes processing any current copy jobsand then enters the off or “sleep” state.

As another example, power manager 126 may send a de-activate or “sleep”command to PC 118, e.g., to a network interface card (NIC) in PC 118,which queues the command until processes that are currently executingare completed. Once those processes have completed their processing, theNIC causes PC 118 to enter an off or “sleep” state. These steps may beperformed, for example, by an application executing on PC 118 or by anoperating system function. Alternatively, if power manager 126 is awareof the processes executing on PC 118, then power manager 126 may causethe termination of those processes remotely and then issue the off or“sleep” command to PC 118. The processes may be closed simultaneously orone by one, depending upon the type of PC 118 and processes.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation of PC118. In this example, PC 118 includes a random access memory (RAM) 400,a read-only memory (ROM) 402 and storage 404, such as one or more disks,optical disks, flash memories, tape drives, or a combination thereof. PC118 also includes an input/output (I/O) controller 406, a displaycontroller 408, a central processing unit (CPU) 410, a network interface412, a state controller 414 and a switch 416. All of these components,except for switch 416, are communicatively coupled to each other via abus 418. Switch 416 is manually accessible and allows a user to manuallychange the state of PC 118, e.g., between off and on states.

In operation, network interface 412 is configured to receive externalsignals, e.g., state change signals from power manager 126, and providethose signals to state controller 414 via bus 418. State controller 414controls the state of PC 118. For example, power manager 126 issues a“sleep” command to PC 118 that is received by network interface 412.Network interface 412 provides the “sleep” command to state controller414, which causes PC 118 to enter the “sleep” state. In the “sleep”state, PC 118 consumes relatively less power than when operating in theactive or fully “on” state. As described herein, one or more processesthat are executing at the time the “sleep” command is received by PC 118are shut down before PC 118 is put into the “sleep” state.

In step 310, the status information is updated to reflect any changesthat were made. For example, according to one embodiment of theinvention, power manager 126 updates the status information stored onnon-volatile storage to reflect the resources that were de-activated andthat the user is now outside the building.

According to this approach, private resources required by the user arede-activated when the user exits the building. Also, shared resourcesthat are no longer required by the user or any other users are alsode-activated. This provides a significant reduction in the amount ofpower consumed by the private and shared resources, since they arede-activated when the users that require those resources exit thebuilding.

IV. Implementation Mechanisms

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation ofbuilding access system 102. In this example, building access system 102includes a RAM 500, a ROM 502, a CPU 504, a network interface 506, anI/O controller 508, a display controller 510 and a storage 512 that arecommunicatively coupled to each other via a bus 514. In this example,power manager 126 and the building access functions are implemented asprocesses executed by CPU 504. The instructions executed by CPU 504 toperform these functions may be stored in RAM 500, ROM 502, storage 512,or any combination thereof.

Storage 512 may be implemented by any type of storage mechanism, such asone or more hard disks, optical disks, flash memories, tape drives, or acombination thereof, and the invention is not limited to any particularimplementation. In the present example, storage 512 includes ID data516, department data 518 and data tables 520, 522, 524. ID data 516includes user identification data that specifies valid user IDs that maybe used by building access system 102 to determine whether to allowusers to access to the building. The user IDs are also used by powermanager 126 as described herein to manage power consumption. Departmentdata 518 is data that specifies a logical group within a building ororganization, i.e., a department of a corporation, and the users thatare members of the logical group.

Data tables 520, 522, 524 contain data that is used to manage powerconsumption of network devices and resources as described herein. FIGS.6A-6C are block diagrams that depict example implementations of datatables 520, 522, 524, according to an embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 6A, data table 520 is implemented as a table with a column 600 thatcontains user IDs and a column 602 that specifies private resources, inthis example a vector of lights, associated with each user ID. In FIG.6B, data table 522 is implemented as a table with a column 604 thatcontains user IDs and a column 606 that specifies private resources, inthis example a vector of peripherals, associated with each user ID. InFIG. 6C, data table 524 is implemented as a table with a column 608 thatcontains user IDs, a column 610 that specifies a vector of PCs andstatus for each user ID in Column 606, a user status column 612 thatspecifies whether the user is in or out of the building and a departmentcolumn 614 that specifies a logical group, in this example a department,with which the user is associated.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams that depict example data tables 700,708 that may be maintained on storage 512 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. In this example, data tables 700, 708 contain sharedresource information used by power manager 126 to manage power in thebuilding. For example, data table 700 includes a department column 702that specifies a particular department, a vector of lights column 704that stores a vector of lights associated with each department in column702 and a vector of IDs column 706 that stores a vector of user IDsassociated with each department in column 702. As another example, inFIG. 7B, data table 708 includes a department column 710 that specifiesa particular department, a vector of peripherals column 712 that storesa vector of peripherals associated with each department in column 710,and a vector of IDs column 714 that stores a vector of user IDsassociated with each department in column 710.

Although FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A and 7B depict specific examples of datamaintained on storage 512, the invention is not limited to theseparticular examples, and any type of data may be stored depending uponthe requirements of a particular application.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 800 uponwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Computer system800 includes a bus 802 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 804 coupled with bus 802 forprocessing information. Computer system 800 also includes a main memory806, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, coupled to bus 802 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 804. Main memory 806 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 804. Computersystem 800 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 808 or other staticstorage device coupled to bus 802 for storing static information andinstructions for processor 804. A storage device 810, such as a magneticdisk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 802 for storinginformation and instructions.

Computer system 800 may be coupled via bus 802 to a display 812, such asa cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.An input device 814, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupledto bus 802 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 804. Another type of user input device is cursor control 816,such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to processor 804 and forcontrolling cursor movement on display 812. This input device typicallyhas two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and asecond axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in aplane.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 800 for managingpower consumption of network devices and resources. According to oneembodiment of the invention, the management of power consumption ofnetwork devices and resources is provided by computer system 800 inresponse to processor 804 executing one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions contained in main memory 806. Such instructions may be readinto main memory 806 from another computer-readable medium, such asstorage device 810. Execution of the sequences of instructions containedin main memory 806 causes processor 804 to perform the process stepsdescribed herein. One or more processors in a multi-processingarrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 806. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments ofthe invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 804 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks,such as storage device 810. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, suchas main memory 806. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 802.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves,such as those generated during radio wave and infrared datacommunications.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 804 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 800 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitterto convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupledto bus 802 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and placethe data on bus 802. Bus 802 carries the data to main memory 806, fromwhich processor 804 retrieves and executes the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory 806 may optionally be stored onstorage device 810 either before or after execution by processor 804.

Computer system 800 also includes a communication interface 818 coupledto bus 802. Communication interface 818 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 820 that is connected to alocal network 822. For example, communication interface 818 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide adata communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.As another example, communication interface 818 may be a local areanetwork (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to acompatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any suchimplementation, communication interface 818 sends and receiveselectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams representing various types of information.

Network link 820 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 820 mayprovide a connection through local network 822 to a host computer 824 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 826.ISP 826 in turn provides data communication services through theworldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to asthe “Internet” 828. Local network 822 and Internet 828 both useelectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams. The signals through the various networks and the signals onnetwork link 820 and through communication interface 818, which carrythe digital data to and from computer system 800, are example forms ofcarrier waves transporting the information.

Computer system 800 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 820 and communicationinterface 818. In the Internet example, a server 830 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 828, ISP 826,local network 822 and communication interface 818. In accordance withthe invention, one such downloaded application provides for themanagement of power consumption of network devices and resources asdescribed herein.

The received code may be executed by processor 804 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 810, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 800 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described herein in thecontext of managing power consumption in buildings, the approach is notlimited to office buildings and is applicable to any type of structureor arrangement. For example, the approach is applicable to managingpower consumption in office buildings, apartment buildings and homes.Also, although embodiments of the invention have been described hereinin the context of managing power consumption in buildings upon entry andexit to a building, the approach is also applicable to entry and exit todifferent portions of a building or complex. For example, the approachis applicable to situations where a user has entered a portion of abuilding or complex that the user was not in, or left a portion of abuilding or complex for at least a specified period of time. This may beimplemented, for example, in situations where a user is required topresent for verification an ID card to move between the differentportions of the building or complex, e.g., via internal doors, hallways,causeways, etc., so that the movement can be detected and tracked. Theapproach is also applicable to situations where user identification ischecked at a location external to a building, for example at a guardhouse or surrounding gate.

Power manager 126 may be implemented in hardware, computer software, ora combination of hardware and computer software and the invention is notlimited to any particular implementation. Furthermore, althoughembodiments of the invention have been described in the context of powermanager 126 being implemented as part of building access system 102, theinvention is not limited to this implementation. The approach may beimplemented in any of the other components in arrangement 100.Alternatively, the approach may be implemented as a stand-alonemechanism that interacts with the various components of arrangement 100.

The approach described herein for managing power consumption of networkdevice and resources reduces the amount of power consumed by resources,while reducing the amount of time that users have to wait for resourcesto power up when they enter a building.

V. Remote Management Applications

The approach described herein for managing power consumption of networkdevices and resources is applicable to remote management applicationswhere a power manager mechanism is located remotely with respect to oneor more network devices. In this situation, the remote power managermanages the operational states of network devices over one or morecommunications networks. For example, the remote power manager mayperform remote data collection, remote maintenance and remotediagnostics. The power requirements may be different for all threecases. For example, performing remote diagnostics may require a fullyfunctioning mechanical system in a network device, while remote datacollection may need only require the reporting of electronically storeddata. Also, such remote access may be preformed during the night whenthe power levels of the network devices may not be known to the remotepower manager.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, a remote manager 128 iscommunicatively coupled to network 110 via a communications link 130that may be any type of communications link and include one or morenetworks. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, remotemanager 128 is configured to manage power consumed by network devices,such as PC 118, copy machine 120, laboratory equipment 122 and otherdevices 124. Remote manager 128 determines whether one or more statechange criteria for a particular network device are satisfied. If theone or more state change criteria for the particular network device aresatisfied, then remote manager 128 signals the particular network deviceover communications link 130 and network 110 to cause the particularnetwork device to change from a first operational state in a pluralityof operational states to a second operational state in the plurality ofoperational states. The network device consumes a different amount ofpower when operating in the second operational state relative to whenthe network device is operating in the first operational state. When adetermination is made that the particular network device no longer needsto operate in the second operational state, then remote manager 128signals the particular network device to cause the particular networkdevice to transition back to the first operational state.

VI. Operational State Hierarchies

The approach described herein for managing power consumption of networkdevices and resources is applicable to network devices and resourceshaving any number of operational modes. Some network devices areconfigured with two or more operation modes to provide finer granularityof operation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram that depicts a operational mode hierarchy 900for a network device. Hierarchy 900 includes states 902-914, labeledState A-State G, respectively, that represent an operational continuumover which the network device operates. The network device consumes themost power when operating in State A, 902 and relatively little or nopower when in State G, 914. Specifically, when operating in State A 902,power is supplied to all components in the network device and allcomponents are ready.

When operating in State B, 904, one or more mechanical components areoperating in a standby mode and are ready to respond in X seconds. Inthis state, the electronic components are ready.

When operating in State C, 906, one or more mechanical components areoperating in a sleep mode and are ready to respond in Y minutes. In thisstate, the electronic components are ready.

When operating in State D, 908, one or more mechanical components arepowered off and the electronic components are in a low power mode, butare still able to respond to requests.

When operating in State E, 910, one or more mechanical components arepowered off and the electronic components are powered off except for anetwork connection. If a network signal is received at the networkconnection, then the network device may transition from State E 910 toState D 908 so that the network signal may be processed.

When operating in State F, 912, one or more mechanical components arepowered off and the electronic components are power off except for anetwork connection and a timer. In this state, the network device maytransition to State G 914 after a specified amount of time has elapsedwith no requests for service made to the network device.

In State G, 914, the network device is shut down. The network device mayenter this state in response to a manual power down of the networkdevice or after transitioning from State F 912.

According to one embodiment of the invention, remote manager 128 causesthe network device to change operational states based upon thesatisfaction of one or more state change criteria. For example, remotemanager 128 may cause the network device to transition from State A 902to State B 904 if the network device has not received any communicationafter a specified amount of time. In this situation, remote manager 128signals the network device to transition from State A 902 to State B 904to reduce the amount of power consumed by the network device. If thenetwork device receives a request for service, e.g., to print adocument, the network device may itself transition from State B 904 backto State A 902 so that the specified function, i.e., the printing of thedocument, may be performed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, remote manager 128determines whether the network device needs to perform the specifiedfunction, i.e., print an document, if so, then the remote manager 128signals the network device to transition from State B 904 to State A902. On the other hand, if the network device does not receive a requestfor service within another specified amount of time, then the networkdevice may transition from State B 904 to State C 906 to furtherconserve power by placing one or more mechanical components, such as afuser, in a sleep mode. Alternatively, remote manager 128 may signal thenetwork device to transition from State B 904 to State C 906 if thenetwork device does not receive a request for service within the otherspecified amount of time.

Remote manager 128 may cause the network device to transition betweenany operational states, any number of times, at any position inhierarchy 900, depending upon the requirements of a particularimplementation. For example, remote manager 128 may cause the networkdevice to transition between State C 906 and State E 910, skipping StateD 908. Remote manager 128 may also cause the network device totransition in either direction, up or down hierarchy 900.

FIGS. 10A-10C are diagrams that depict example interactions between anetwork device and remote manager 128 according to an embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 10A depicts interactions between the network device andremote manager 128 when one or more facility management functions are tobe performed that requires that the network device be fully ready. Inthis situation, remote manager 128 sends to the network device a requestfor the network device to transition to State A 902. In response toreceiving the request, the network device transitions to State A 902.The network device then generates and sends a state change confirmationmessage to remote manager 128. The state change confirmation messageconfirms that the network device successfully transitioned to State A902.

FIG. 10B depicts interactions between the network device and remotemanager 128 when remote manager 128 needs to retrieve the currentoperating parameters from the network device. Example operatingparameters include, without limitation, the current status of thenetwork device, a toner level and a page count. In this situation, theelectronic components of the network device need to be at least in a lowpower mode. The mechanical components of the network device are notneeded to perform this function. Accordingly, remote manager 128 sendsto the network device a request that the network device transition toState D 908. In State D 908, the mechanical components of the networkdevice are powered off and the electronic components of the networkdevice are in a low power mode and can respond to requests.

In response to receiving the request, the network device transitions toState D 908. The network device may have been in any other state priorto receiving the request to transition to State D 908. The networkdevice then generates and sends a state change confirmation message toremote manager 128. The state change confirmation message confirms thatthe network device successfully transitioned to State D 908. The remotemanager 128 then generates and sends a request to report parameters tothe network device. The network device sends its current parametervalues to the remote manager 128.

FIG. 10C depicts interactions between the network device and remotemanager 128 when remote manager 128 needs to receive a particular reportfrom the network device. In this situation, the electronic components ofthe network device need to be at least in a low power mode. Themechanical components of the network device are not needed to performthis function. Accordingly, remote manager 128 sends to the networkdevice a request that the network device transition to State D 908. InState D 908, the mechanical components of the network device are poweredoff and the electronic components of the network device are in a lowpower mode and can respond to requests.

In response to receiving the request, the network device transitions toState D 908. The network device may have been in any other state priorto receiving the request to transition to State D 908. The networkdevice then generates the requested report and sends the report toremote manager 128. In this situation, a confirmation that the networkdevice successfully transitioned to State D 908 is not generated andsent by the network device to the remote manager 128. Rather, receipt ofthe requested report by the remote manager 128 provides the confirmationthat the network device successfully transitioned to State D 908. Thus,a state change confirmation message may not be required, depending uponthe requirements of a particular implementation. For example, a monthlyreport of the system parameters such as print volume and tonerconsumption may be obtained using this approach.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein in terms of officeapplications. However, the approach may be applied to home environmentsto control the house heating system, the air conditioning system, theentertainment system, water heater and so on, when these appliances areconnected through a network such as wireless home network to the controlsystems 102, 112 and 128.

VII. Example Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP) Architecture

One example of other devices 124 is a multi-function peripheral (MFP)that performs one or more functions, such as printing, copying,facsimile and scanning. A multitude of MFPs having a wide variety ofcombinations of functions is available and the invention is not limitedto any particular type of MFP or an MFP configured to perform anyparticular combination of functions.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram that depicts an example implementation 1100of an MFP. Implementation 1100 includes several computer architecturecomponents communicatively coupled via a communication bus 1102, namely,a central processing unit (CPU) 1104, a random access memory (RAM) 1106,a read-only memory (ROM) 1108, a multi-port network interface (I/F) 1110that may be connected to both wired and wireless connections, an I/Fcontroller 1112 with an attached operation panel 1114, a storage I/F1116 with an attached database (DB) 1118 and flash memory 1120, anoption I/F 1122, a clock/timer 1124 and a local connection 1126.Implementation 1100 also includes several physical components, such as asorter 1128, a duplexer 1130, a large capacity tray unit 1132, a paperfee controller 1134, a scanner 1136, a printer/imager 1138, a fuser 1140and an option unit interface 1142. The MFP elements depicted in FIG. 11are provided as example elements and MFPs may contain additionalelements or fewer elements, depending upon the requirements of aparticular implementation.

VIII. Network Device Pre-Activation

As previously described herein, many network devices are configured toautomatically transition to a low power state after a specified amountof time of inactivity has occurred. This allows network devices tomanage and reduce their own power consumption. One of the drawbacks ofthis approach is that some network devices can require a substantialamount of time to transition back to a state where normal processing canresume. Some network devices with electro-mechanical components requirea “warm-up” period before they can be used again.

For example, some printing devices are configured with a fuser that mustbe heated to a specified temperature before printing can occur. Fusersconsume a relatively large amount of power compared to conventionalelectronic components. Thus, fusers are examples of components that areideally suited for shutdown when a network device enters a standby modebecause of the potential energy savings. Once a network device hasentered a standby mode and a fuser has been allowed to cool however, asignificant amount of time can be required for the network device totransition back to the fully operational mode. Thus, processing of thefirst task to be requested by the network device can be delayed. Forexample, suppose that a printing device is configured to transition intoa standby mode after not receiving any print requests for at least aspecified time. In the standby mode, power is removed from the fuser.When the next request is received, the printing device transitions fromthe standby mode to the full power mode. This includes providing powerto the fuser so that the fuser can be brought up to operatingtemperature. This process may take several minutes, depending upon theparticular configuration of the network device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, prior usage of a networkdevice is used to estimate times when the network device will be used inthe future. The network device is then pre-activated, i.e., transitionedto an active operational state, prior to the estimated times so that thenetwork device will be ready when needed. This reduces or eliminatesdelays in processing attributable to having to wait for the networkdevice to transition to the active operational state.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 that depicts an overview of an approachfor managing a network device according to an embodiment of theinvention. In step 1202, usage data is retrieved that indicates which ofa plurality of operational states the network device was operating induring a first plurality of time periods. The operational states mayinclude any number and type of operational states, such as low power,inactive or sleep states and full power or active states. The firstplurality of time periods may represent any time periods, such asminutes, hours in a day, days, weeks, months, etc. Thus, for example,the usage data may indicate that the network device was operating in asleep mode state during certain time periods from the first plurality oftime periods and was operating in an active mode during other timeperiods from the first plurality of time periods.

In step 1204, the usage data is evaluated and one or more time periodsare selected from a second plurality of time periods where it isestimated that the network device will be operating in a firstoperational state from the plurality of operational states. The firstoperational state may be, for example, a fully active operational statethat is required for processing data.

In step 1206, the network device is pre-activated, i.e., transitioned tothe first operational state, prior to each of the selected one or moretime periods. For example, suppose that in step 1204, the evaluation ofthe usage data indicates that the network device is consistentlyoperating in an active operational state during a particular time on aparticular day. This may occur, for example, in a situation where aparticular processing task is scheduled for the network device at theparticular time on the particular day. The network device istransitioned to the active operational state prior to the particulartime on the next day that is the same as the particular day. Forexample, suppose it is determined from the evaluation of the usage datathat a printing device is heavily used during 1-3 pm on Tuesdays. Theprinting device is pre-activated into an operational state that allowsprinting prior to 1 pm each Tuesday.

A. Usage Data

FIG. 13 includes a graph 1300 that visually depicts the usage of anetwork device over time and more specifically, the usage of the networkdevice over a 24 hour period. The network device may be any type ofnetwork device, such as PC 118, copy machine 120, laboratory equipment122 or other devices 124, such as routers, gateways, switches or othernetwork elements. As indicated by graph 1300, the usage of the networkdevice varies significantly throughout a 24 hour period. This variationmay be attributable to a variety of factors, and in the present example,is attributable to a typical work schedule. In the present example,graph 1300 depicts relatively high levels of network traffic and/ornetwork device usage during the peak morning hours of 8-12 am and thepeak afternoon hours of 1:30-6 pm, with usage tapering off during theconventional lunch hour and from 6-8 pm as employees work later and thendepart.

What constitutes “usage” of a network device may vary depending upon aparticular implementation. For example, usage may refer to the fact thata network device is processing data, e.g., when a printing device isprocessing print data the network device is considered to be used. Asanother example, usage may refer to the fact that a network device isoperating in a particular operational state. Suppose that a printingdevice has two operational states. One state is a normal operationalstate where the printing device is ready to process print data. Theother operational state is a low power or sleep state where the printingdevice is not ready to process print data, but consumes less power. Inthis situation, the printing device may be considered used when theprinting device is operating in the normal operational state.

The usage depicted in graph 1300 is only one of a myriad of possibleusage patterns and the invention is not limited to any particular usagepattern. The usage of any particular network device may varydramatically from other network devices, depending upon a particularcontext or application. For example, one printing device used byemployees during the daytime may experience little or no usage duringnighttime hours and therefore may operate in a low power or sleep modeduring nighttime hours. Another printing device may be used extensivelyduring the nighttime to print large reports, such as financial reports,that are needed early in the morning. Similarly, certain network devicesthat include backup mechanisms may be scheduled for operation duringnighttime to reduce the strain on computational resources during thedaytime.

B. Collecting and Storing Usage Data

Usage data may be collected and maintained using a variety of techniquesand the invention is not limited to any particular technique. Forexample, usage data may be collected by network devices and provided toa central processing mechanism, such as power manager 126. The networkdevices may collect usage data in response to a request from powermanager 126 or they may operate autonomously and collect usage datathemselves. The network devices may then automatically provide thecollected usage data to a central processing mechanism or store theusage data locally and provide the usage data in response to a queryfrom a central processing mechanism. Alternatively, a monitoringmechanism may be used to monitor the activity of network devices andgenerate usage data. For example, power manager 126 may configured witha monitoring function to monitor the usage of PC 118, copy machine 120,laboratory equipment 122 and other devices 124 and generate usage data.Usage data may be stored at network devices or at a central processingmechanism in volatile or non-volatile memory, depending upon therequirements of a particular application. According to one embodiment ofthe invention, usage data is stored in non-volatile memory, such asflash memory, so that the data is maintained even if a device powersdown or power is lost.

Usage data may reflect the usage of a network device over variousperiods of time. For example, graph 1300 may reflect the usage of anetwork device over a single 24-hour period. Alternatively, graph 1300may reflect the usage of a network device over multiple 24-hour periods.Thus usage data may be collected over time and then processed. Forexample, usage data for a device may be collected over time and thenaveraged for specified time periods to provide an indication of theaverage usage during each time period. Other statistical methods mayalso be used to process usage data, depending upon the requirements of aparticular application.

FIG. 14 depicts a table 1400 of example usage data collected for aprinting device over a seven-day, 24 hours per day, period. A usagecounter is used to track the number of times that the printing deviceoperates in a particular operational state and processes print data,e.g., by printing electronic documents, during each 15 minute timeperiod. As depicted in table 1400, the printing device is not processingprint data late in the night (23:30; 23:45) and very early in themorning (00:00 through 00:30), except on Sunday, when special reportsare printed for Monday morning. Table 1400 also depicts that theprinting device is used most during the morning and afternoon and lessduring lunch and after normal business hours. In the example depicted intable 1400, the counter data reflects how often the printing deviceoperates in one particular operational state. Counter data may becollected for any number of operational states, however, for example insituations where devices have several operational states.

The counter data may reflect time periods of different lengths, not just15 minutes as depicted in table 1400. Furthermore, the counter data intable 1400 may represent an average of n number of weekly samples. Forexample, a sample counter 1402 indicates the number of weeks (n weeks)that the counter data reflects. Thus, the count of eight for the Tuesday09:45 time period may represent an average count of nine for n number ofTuesday 09:45 time periods. The number of samples may be selected basedupon the requirements of a particular implementation. The number ofsamples may also be tracked for each separate day. For example, aseparate sample counter may be maintained for each day of the week. Inthis situation, the usage count for a particular day represents anaverage usage count for that day, based upon the number of samples forthat day. Other statistical measures may be used besides average, suchas median, mode, etc., and the invention is not limited to anyparticular statistical measure. Although FIG. 14 depicts the usage datain the form of a table, the invention is not limited to this context andusage data may be stored in any data format, data structure orarrangement.

The usage counter may be implemented in the printing device and thecounter data may be provided automatically to a central processingmechanism, such as power manager 126, or queried from the printingdevice by power manager 126. Alternatively, some other mechanism may beused to collect the counter data.

C. Using Usage Data to Estimate Future Usage of a Network Device

According to one embodiment of the invention, usage data, that indicateswhen a network device has been used in the past, is used to estimatewhen network device will be used in the future. A variety of techniquesmay be used to analyze usage data to estimate when a network device willbe used. For example, the average activity of a network device may bedetermined from usage data. Then, any time periods having an amount ofactivity greater than the average amount of activity are identified astime periods when the network device should be pre-activated. As anotherexample, suppose that a usage counts are used to track the usage of anetwork device, as depicted in FIG. 14. According to one embodiment ofthe invention, in this situation, each usage count is compared to aspecified threshold. Time periods that have a usage count greater thanthe specified threshold are identified as time periods when the networkdevice should be pre-activated.

The particular threshold used may vary depending upon the requirementsof a particular implementation and may be established, for example, byconfiguration data and/or through a graphical user interface (GUI).Suppose that the threshold is established at seven. In this situation,there are four time periods in table 1400 that have a usage countgreater than seven: 15:00 on Monday; 09:45 on Tuesday; and 09:45 and10:00 on Thursday. The network device is then activated prior to thesetimes on these days so that delays attributable to activating thenetwork device do not cause delays in processing data. Thepre-activation may be repeated the same time and day each week until achange is warranted. In situations where such a transition may takeseveral minutes, for example to allow time for a fuser to reach athreshold temperature, the transition is performed prior to the printingdevice actually being needed, which reduces delays when print jobs orprint data is later processed. For example, suppose that a particularprinting device requires six minutes to transition from a sleep orinactive operational state into an active operational state where theprinting device is capable of processing and printing print data. Inthis situation, the particular printing device is transitioned into theactive state at least six minutes prior to time periods where it isestimated, based upon usage data, that the particular printing devicewill be needed.

The use of a threshold may be combined with other approaches to selecttime periods for pre-activation. Rather than selecting forpre-activation all time periods having a usage count greater than aspecified threshold, a subset of qualifying time periods may beselected. For example, the n number of time periods having the highestusage count greater than the specified threshold may be selected forpre-activation. Suppose that the threshold is established at seven and nis established at two. In this situation, there are four time periods intable 1400 that have a usage count greater than seven: 15:00 on Monday;09:45 on Tuesday; and 09:45 and 10:00 on Thursday. The two time periodshaving the highest usage count, namely, 15:00 on Monday and 09:45 onThursday, are selected for pre-activation. The network device is thenactivated prior to these times on these days so that delays attributableto activating the network device do not cause delays in processing data.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a minimum number ofsamples is required before pre-activation is used. For example, aparticular implementation may specify that a minimum of ten samples isrequired before pre-activation is used. In this situation, the value ofsample counter 1402 is checked against a specified threshold todetermine whether usage data reflects a sufficient number of samples. Ifso, then times to use pre-activation are selected as previouslydescribed herein. If not, the pre-activation is not used and the networkdevice is allowed to operate according to its normal configuration. Thisapproach may be used on any size time periods, based upon theavailability of sample counters. For example, if separate samplecounters are maintained for each day in a week (seven), then the use ofpre-activation as described herein may be made on a per-day basis.

D. Updates to Usage Data

In some situations, the usage of network devices changes over time. Thismay be attributable to a wide variety of factors, such as changes innetwork or network device configurations, relocation of network devices,relocation of users, changes in the type of work being done by users andchanges in users' work habits and work schedules. According to oneembodiment of the invention, usage data is periodically updated andre-evaluated to determine whether any changes should be made to thepre-activation schedule of network devices.

E. Using Pre-Activation with Building Access Detection

The pre-activation of network devices as described herein may be used inconjunction with building access detection. According to one embodimentof the invention, pre-activation may be temporarily suspended based whenit is known that certain people are absent from a building, for example,during a company shutdown. A counter flag may be set to disablepre-activation for this purpose. The counter flag may then be reset atthe end of a shutdown period. When the counter flag is set to disablepre-activation, the incrementing of the sample count may also bedisabled, so that usage data collected during that period is not used.

According to another embodiment of the invention, normally-scheduledpre-activation of a particular network device is temporarily suspendedif none of the persons who are associated with the particular networkdevice are in the building. For example, suppose that laboratoryequipment 122 is scheduled for pre-activation on Tuesdays at 9 am, basedupon usage data, as described herein. Suppose further that on the nextTuesday at 9 am, none of the individuals associated with laboratoryequipment 122 are in the building. This may be known, for example, frombuilding access system 102. In this situation, pre-activation oflaboratory equipment 122 is temporarily suspended. If, at the nextpre-activation period, one or more persons associated with laboratoryequipment 122 are in the building, then pre-activation may continuenormally.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is, and is intended by the applicants to be, the invention isthe set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific formin which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence,no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute thatis not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claimin any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A computer-implemented method for setting a network device ready foruse, the method comprising: retrieving usage data that indicates whichof a plurality of operational states a network device operated in duringa first plurality of time periods; estimating, based upon the usagedata, from a second plurality of time periods, one or more time periodswhen the network device will be operating in a usage state from theplurality of operational states, wherein the second plurality of timeperiods is both different than the first plurality of time periods andoccurs after the first plurality of time periods; detecting whether oneor more individuals associated with the network device are in abuilding; if the one or more individuals associated with the networkdevice are in the building, then causing the network device totransition to the usage state prior to each of the one or more timeperiods, so that the network device is ready for use at a start of eachof the one or more time periods; and if the one or more individualsassociated with the network device are not in the building, then notcausing the network device to transition to the usage state prior toeach of the one or more time periods.
 2. The method as recited in claim1, wherein estimating, based upon the usage data, from a secondplurality of time periods, one or more time periods when the networkdevice will be operating in a usage state from the plurality ofoperational states, includes determining, based upon the usage data,which of the first plurality time periods the network device operated inthe usage state.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: retrieving additional usage data that indicates which of theplurality of operational states the network device operated in during athird plurality of time periods; estimating, based upon the usage data,from a fourth plurality of time periods, a second set of one or moretime periods when the network device will be operating in the usagestate from the plurality of operational states; and causing the networkdevice to transition to the usage state prior to each of the second setof one or more time periods so that the network device is ready for useat the start of each of the second set of one or more time periods. 4.The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the network device consumesrelatively more power when operating in the usage state than any otherof the plurality of operational states.
 5. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the network device requires relatively more time totransition to the usage state than to transition to any other of theplurality of operational states.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein: the usage data indicates, for each time period from the firstplurality of time periods, a number of times that the network device wasoperating in the usage state; and the estimating, based upon the usagedata, from a second plurality of time periods, one or more time periodswhen the network device will be operating in a usage state from theplurality of operational states includes determining which time periodsfrom the first plurality of time periods that the network deviceoperated in the usage state at least a specified number of times.
 7. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein: the usage data indicates, foreach time period from the first plurality of time periods, a number oftimes that the network device was operating in the usage state; and theestimating, based upon the usage data, from a second plurality of timeperiods, one or more time periods when the network device will beoperating in a usage state from the plurality of operational statesincludes determining a specified number of time periods from the firstplurality of time periods that the network device operated the most inthe usage state.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingverifying that the usage data for the first plurality of time periodsreflects at least a minimum number of times that the network deviceoperated in the usage state.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein when operating in the usage state, the network device is able toprocess requests.
 10. A machine-readable medium for setting a networkdevice ready for use, the machine-readable medium carrying sequences ofinstructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:retrieving usage data that indicates which of a plurality of operationalstates a network device operated in during a first plurality of timeperiods; estimating, based upon the usage data, from a second pluralityof time periods, one or more time periods when the network device willbe operating in a usage state from the plurality of operational states,wherein the second plurality of time periods is both different than thefirst plurality of time periods and occurs after the first plurality oftime periods; detecting whether one or more individuals associated withthe network device are in a building; if the one or more individualsassociated with the network device are in the building, then causing thenetwork device to transition to the usage state prior to each of the oneor more time periods, so that the network device is ready for use at astart of each of the one or more time periods; and if the one or moreindividuals associated with the network device are not in the building,then not causing the network device to transition to the usage stateprior to each of the one or more time periods.
 11. The machine-readablemedium as recited in claim 10, wherein estimating, based upon the usagedata, from a second plurality of time periods, one or more time periodswhen the network device will be operating in a usage state from theplurality of operational states, includes determining, based upon theusage data, which of the first plurality time periods the network deviceoperated in the usage state.
 12. The machine-readable medium as recitedin claim 10, further comprising additional instructions which, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause: retrieving additionalusage data that indicates which of the plurality of operational statesthe network device operated in during a third plurality of time periods;estimating, based upon the usage data, from a fourth plurality of timeperiods, a second set of one or more time periods when the networkdevice will be operating in the usage state from the plurality ofoperational states; and causing the network device to transition to theusage state prior to each of the second set of one or more time periodsso that the network device is ready for use at the start of each of thesecond set of one or more time periods.
 13. The machine-readable mediumas recited in claim 10, wherein the network device consumes relativelymore power when operating in the usage state than any other of theplurality of operational states.
 14. The machine-readable medium asrecited in claim 10, wherein the network device requires relatively moretime to transition to the usage state than to transition to any other ofthe plurality of operational states.
 15. The machine-readable medium asrecited in claim 10, wherein: the usage data indicates, for each timeperiod from the first plurality of time periods, a number of times thatthe network device was operating in the usage state; and the estimating,based upon the usage data, from a second plurality of time periods, oneor more time periods when the network device will be operating in ausage state from the plurality of operational states includesdetermining which time periods from the first plurality of time periodsthat the network device operated in the usage state at least a specifiednumber of times.
 16. The machine-readable medium as recited in claim 10,wherein: the usage data indicates, for each time period from the firstplurality of time periods, a number of times that the network device wasoperating in the usage state; and the estimating, based upon the usagedata, from a second plurality of time periods, one or more time periodswhen the network device will be operating in a usage state from theplurality of operational states includes determining a specified numberof time periods from the first plurality of time periods that thenetwork device operated the most in the usage state.
 17. Themachine-readable medium as recited in claim 10, further comprisingadditional instructions which, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause verifying that the usage data for the first pluralityof time periods reflects at least a minimum number of times that thenetwork device operated in the usage state.
 18. The machine-readablemedium as recited in claim 10, wherein when operating in the usagestate, the network device is able to process requests.
 19. An apparatusfor setting a network device ready for use, the apparatus comprising amemory storing sequences of instructions which, when executed by one ormore processors, cause: retrieving usage data that indicates which of aplurality of operational states a network device operated in during afirst plurality of time periods; estimating, based upon the usage data,from a second plurality of time periods, one or more time periods whenthe network device will be operating in a usage state from the pluralityof operational states, wherein the second plurality of time periods isboth different than the first plurality of time periods and occurs afterthe first plurality of time periods; detecting whether one or moreindividuals associated with the network device are in a building; if theone or more individuals associated with the network device are in thebuilding, then causing the network device to transition to the usagestate prior to each of the one or more time periods, so that the networkdevice is ready for use at a start of each of the one or more timeperiods; and if the one or more individuals associated with the networkdevice are not in the building, then not causing the network device totransition to the usage state prior to each of the one or more timeperiods.
 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein estimating,based upon the usage data, from a second plurality of time periods, oneor more time periods when the network device will be operating in ausage state from the plurality of operational states, includesdetermining, based upon the usage data, which of the first pluralitytime periods the network device operated in the usage state.
 21. Theapparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the memory further storesadditional instructions which, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause: retrieving additional usage data that indicates whichof the plurality of operational states the network device operated induring a third plurality of time periods; estimating, based upon theusage data, from a fourth plurality of time periods, a second set of oneor more time periods when the network device will be operating in theusage state from the plurality of operational states; and causing thenetwork device to transition to the usage state prior to each of thesecond set of one or more time periods so that the network device isready for use at the start of each of the second set of one or more timeperiods.
 22. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the networkdevice consumes relatively more power when operating in the usage statethan any other of the plurality of operational states.
 23. The apparatusas recited in claim 19, wherein the network device requires relativelymore time to transition to the usage state than to transition to anyother of the plurality of operational states.
 24. The apparatus asrecited in claim 19, wherein: the usage data indicates, for each timeperiod from the first plurality of time periods, a number of times thatthe network device was operating in the usage state; and the estimating,based upon the usage data, from a second plurality of time periods, oneor more time periods when the network device will be operating in ausage state from the plurality of operational states includesdetermining which time periods from the first plurality of time periodsthat the network device operated in the usage state at least a specifiednumber of times.
 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein: theusage data indicates, for each time period from the first plurality oftime periods, a number of times that the network device was operating inthe usage state; and the estimating, based upon the usage data, from asecond plurality of time periods, one or more time periods when thenetwork device will be operating in a usage state from the plurality ofoperational states includes determining a specified number of timeperiods from the first plurality of time periods that the network deviceoperated the most in the usage state.
 26. The apparatus as recited inclaim 19, wherein the memory further stores additional instructionswhich, when executed by the one or more processors, cause verifying thatthe usage data for the first plurality of time periods reflects at leasta minimum number of times that the network device operated in the usagestate.
 27. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein when operatingin the usage state, the network device is able to process requests.